Faith Through the Ages - Today in Religious History
St. Turibius of Mogrovejo was a Spanish missionary and bishop who served as the Archbishop of Lima, Peru in the 16th century. He is remembered for his tireless efforts to evangelize and protect the indigenous people of Peru.
On this day in 1540, St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The Jesuits became a powerful force in the Catholic Church, known for their missionary work, intellectual pursuits, and influence in politics.
Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical 'Quadragesimo Anno' on this day in 1933. This important social encyclical addressed the growing economic inequality and the need for a more just economic system based on the principles of Catholic social teaching.
St. Margaret Clitherow, an English Catholic, was martyred on this day in 1603 for harboring Catholic priests during the persecution of Catholics in Elizabethan England. She was crushed to death for refusing to plead to the charges against her.
The Second Vatican Council, the 21st ecumenical council of the Catholic Church, opened on March 23, 1962. This landmark event ushered in a period of significant reforms and changes in the Church, including the use of vernacular languages in the liturgy and a greater emphasis on the role of the laity.